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Philadelphia traffic: Gridlock demonstration set for Thursday rush hour
A "mass car caravan" will drive through Center City on Thursday during rush hour to simulate Sixers Arena traffic. Here's what we to expect:
PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia's rush hour is about to be an even bigger headache for some commuters on Thursday.
Opponents of the controversial Sixers Arena on Market Street have organized a gridlock demonstration to "peer into Philly’s potential arena future, traffic nightmare ahead."
A "mass car caravan" is expected to drive through Center City on Thursday during rush hour to simulate the traffic they say 76 Place will bring to the city.
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"Gridlock is guaranteed if more than 40% of spectators drive — a likely reality given that 85% of spectators currently drive to Wells Fargo Center, the traffic study showed," the No Arena in the Heart of Our City Coalition said in a release.
When and where
The demonstration is set to kick off at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, just hours after city council voted to pass a package of bills for the divisive proposal.
It will begin at 11th and Market streets, then head west on Market Street, north on 13th Street, south on 15th Street and around City Hall.
"This arena is a disaster waiting to happen for Philadelphia commuters, residents, patients, and emergency responders. There’s no plan to address the guaranteed gridlock it will create," organizers said.